Sonoco Products Company / Can Packaging SAS merger inquiry

The CMA investigated and cleared the completed acquisition by Sonoco Products Company, Inc of Can Packaging SAS.

• From: Competition and Markets Authority
• Published: 14 September 2020
• Last updated: 29 January 2021 — See all updates

• Case type: Mergers
• Case state: Closed
• Market sector: Paper printing and packaging
• Outcome: Mergers - phase 1 clearance
• Opened: 14 September 2020
• Closed: 21 December 2020

Phase 1

Statutory timetable

Phase 1 | Action -|- 29 January 2021 | Decision published 21 December 2020 | Decision announced 26 October 2020 | Launch of merger inquiry 26 October to 9 November 2020 | Invitation to comment 9 September 2020 | Initial enforcement order ### CMA clearance decision

21 December 2020: The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Sonoco Products Company, Inc of Can Packaging SAS.

• Full text decision (29.1.21)

Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee

17 November 2020: On 12 November 2020, pursuant to an initial enforcement order dated 9 September 2020, the CMA directed Sonoco Products Company, Inc. to appoint a monitoring trustee.

• Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee (17.11.20)

Launch of merger inquiry

26 October 2020: The CMA announced the launch of its merger inquiry by notice to the parties.

• Commencement notice (26.10.20)

Invitation to comment: now closed

26 October 2020: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction has resulted in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.

Initial enforcement order

9 September 2020: The CMA served an initial enforcement order under section 72(2) of the Enterprise Act 2002 on Sonoco Products Company, Inc in relation to the completed acquisition by Sonoco Products Company, Inc of Can Packaging SAS.

• Initial enforcement order (14.9.20)

Amendments/consents granted

• Derogation 9 November 2020 (24.11.20)
• Derogation 18 September 2020 (23.9.20)

Contact

Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to:

general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk

Published 14 September 2020
Last updated 29 January 2021 + show all updates

1. 29 January 2021

   Phase 1 full text decision published.

2. 21 December 2020

   The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by Sonoco Products Company, Inc of Can Packaging SAS.

3. 24 November 2020

   Derogation published.

4. 17 November 2020

   Directions to appoint a monitoring trustee published.

5. 26 October 2020

   Commencement notice and invitation to comment published.

6. 23 September 2020

   Derogation published.

7. 14 September 2020

   First published.